Comparison Of The Piano Lesson And Sonnys Blues Essay Example For Students

Comparison Of The Piano Lesson And Sonnys Blues Essay Comparison of The Piano Lesson and Sonnys BluesAugust Wilsons ?The Piano Lesson? and James Baldwins ?Sonnys Blues? explore the values of two families destined for disruption. ?The Piano Lesson? portrays a family split apart over the future of a family heirloom, whereas ?Sonnys Blues? deals with a brother in need of help. Although each story captures outside interest, psychological problems detracts obtaining individuality. Through conquering a hostile environment and difficulties within his family, man often obtains a true sense of his identity. ?The Piano Lesson? displays a family, attempting to form a common bond of understanding. Initially, the environment of which the people in the play are raised fabricates conflict, causing them to mold their personas. Doaker frequently sings songs that give directions to specific locations because of his involvement with slavery (55). Boy Willie and everyone elses belief in the ?Ghosts of the Yellow Dog? signifies the irrational reasoning used in that time period (28). In addition, relationships among friends help create a true sense of ones identity. Constantly ordering Lyman around, Boy Willie detracts from Lymans security (84). Avery feels that Berniece is ?too young a woman to close up,? indicating his concern for others (66). Lastly, family relationships define oneself. Doakers impeccable understanding of Bernieces demeanor illustrates his vast knowledge of people (88). Moreover, people continually speak up for Berniece, forcing her to speak her mind less (98). As in ?The Piano Lesson,? the people in ?Sonnys Blues? struggle to form their identity. The environment holds some responsibility for shaping ones personality. Sonnys brother finds himself ?trapped in the darkness which roared outside,? indicating his state of mind after discovering the misfortune of Sonny (97). Sonnys brother becomes very nervous about what has happened to Sonny, depicting the brothers sympathetic and caring personality (97). Furthermore, relationships among friends construct meaningful identities. An old friend of Sonnys that Sonnys brother encounters while leaving school shows no faith in Sonny overcoming his troubles which shows no confidence in Sonny (99). Explaining to Sonnys brother that he ?got a real musician in family,? Sonnys friend exhibits faith in his partner (118). Most importantly, relationships within the family serve as key factors when forming a sound identity. Whenever dealing with his parents, Sonny ?moves back, inside himself, where he cant be reached,? illustrating his uncertain feelings towards himself and his parents (104). Exhibiting a mild sense of responsibility, Sonny acknowledges his problems in a letter to his brother where he states his intentions to rid himself of his wrong doings.?The Piano Lesson? and ?Sonnys Blues? portray two confused families in search of who they truly are. The circumstances by which the individuals encounter have similar effects on the two families, bringing about confusion, yet more clearly defining ones personality. Friends of the family in ?The Piano Lesson? provide much confidence in the family. Likewise, Sonnys friends enhance his identity through experience. Relationships within the family prove to be of the utmost importance in defining oneself. In both stories, the family either forces one into or out of a shell, either taking away or adding to the identity. Ultimately, in order for one to obtain complete individuality, he or she must subject themselves to every type of situation , good or bad, from which a lesson can be learned.